Why The Guru Tests

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“The Guru does not pose tests to discourage the disciple. Neither it is for

competing with the disciple nor to deprive him of his privilege. In fact, it is

no fun for the Guru to watch his disciple struggling. Guru has his own methods.

The disciple has some inadequacies. The guru has to create such situations

whereby the disciple realizes his shortcomings. Such situations may even be

unpalatable. But the Guru has no choice but to subject his disciple to such

situations.

 

Let us take an example from our day-to-day life to understand this aspect

better. A child that has just learned to walk wants to go out of the house. He

doesn’t have the fear that if he goes out on to the road, he may meet with an

accident. The mother sits near the door and whenever the child crosses the door,

punishes him by beating him with a stick. The boy sooner or later learns that if

he crosses the door, he will be punished. After the boy learns this, the mother

encourages him to cross the door again. Confused, the boy tries to cross the

door once again, and once again his mother punishes him. Now the boy has reached

a stage when, even if encouraged, he will not cross the door. Guru Pareeksha is

like the last punishment that brings about firm realization of the mistake . . .

Similarly, a Guru will point out the mistakes of his disciples in various ways.

If the disciples do not understand, he will have to punish them."

 

Sri Swamiji

Bhakti Mala, April 2001

http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/bhaktimala/april2001/sooktiapr2001.html

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says

 

Suggest a quote for this week's Swamiji Says!

Send a quote to: swamiji-says

 

 

 

2,000,000,000 Web Pages--you only need 1. Save time with My Lycos.

lycos.com